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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Ache, A Work-in-Progress

the finished installation, "Ache"

My participation in "Off the Wall" at the ECU Metals Symposium couldn't have come at a better time. I've been moving an idea around in my mind for some new autobiographical one-of-a-kind work. I'm not going to detail the concept yet as I'm still figuring it out, but in the meantime here are a few pictures of the piece I made for the show as well as the statement. I used the opportunity to begin the process of working out the idea and also documenting where I am at right now.

The wall before I started...I marked the space with blue tape, then began hanging a collection of items, moving them around, adding and subtracting until it felt complete. I did not photograph every move because I felt it would take away from the process.

detail of drawing on a photocopy of a Victorian bustle

"I see my
work as more than just jewelry, I see it as objects that tell the story of my
artistic process. I work through ideas and problems and learn about the meaning
of my work by collecting, arranging, and processing tangible visual cues,
works-in-progress, and finished pieces. I like to place these things in a
specific arrangement on a wall in my studio. These pieces from a paper doily to
a maquette to a partially made brooch to a complete necklace is evidence that
can be studied. Hanging these items on the wall allows me to process the
collection every time I walk by it both consciously and subconsciously. Through
deliberate and unintentional analysis I am able to recognize patterns, discover
visual definitions, self-edit, and develop new ideas. This differs from off the
wall study simply because the perspective is physically different. When the
work and its accompanying inspirations are grouped together on a wall they
create a visual map and further establish the basis for a visual dialogue as
they are seen as a whole. I can see how they relate to one another far easier
than if they are separate and laying on a table."

the show postcard

Participating artists were asked to create a piece for the wall under the confines of a 2' x 4' space. My piece includes several one-hour exercises I made in the spring, a paper doily, some free-writing, a few chains, a button, a brass teardrop, a drawing on a photocopy, a piece of patterned metal, and some twisted steel wire. Once the piece was done, I took photos and made a diagram so the arrangement could be easily duplicated during the install. You can see more pictures including ones from the opening and the other works here.

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The Pearl Piece (working title)
A new work in progress for my upcoming solo show at Sienna Patti Contemporary.
I'm accepting contributions of one real or fake white or off-white pearl,
deadline extended.